Private detention facilities in Ohio, New Mexico and Texas may soon be used to house undocumented immigrants, despite an announcement by the Washington-based U.S. Justice Department in August to phase out its use of private prisons. The U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agency (ICE) is currently seeking to house approximately 5,000 additional undocumented individuals, as the movement of immigrants across the U.S.-Mexico border is expected to increase in the coming weeks and months.

Amidst increasingly clamorous discussions globally about the efficacy and value of the modern prison, statistics are showing more and more that countries worldwide are falling in two separate categories. One, which includes most of the developed economies of Europe and East Asia, is witnessing the waning of the traditional prison through historically low incarceration rates that are expected to decline further over the coming years.

The new Gull Road Family Justice Complex in Kalamazoo consolidates all family court functions for Kalamazoo County and outside agencies into one facility. The three-story, 81,200-square-foot facility improves operational efficiencies and security, while uniting juvenile functions, domestic relations, probate, prosecuting attorneys, clerks and family support services.

Becker County has its sights set on a new $16 million to $18 million jail in Detroit Lakes. The decision to build a new jail comes after the county was ordered by the state to either close or replace its maximum-security jail by the Minnesota Department of Corrections.